Race2Tonteldoos Ultra

12–13 September 2026 | 250km | Single stage

Tonteldoos. A traditional Afrikaans word for a tinderbox — the small brass or copper box carried by settlers to keep their flint, steel, and tinder dry. Before matches existed, it was the only way to start a fire. You protected it with your life. Without it, there was no warmth, no light, no survival. That's where this race ends. And how you get there is entirely up to you.

Race 2 Tonteldoos is a 250km point-to-point overnight gravel race from Cullinan, Gauteng to Dullstroom in the Mpumalanga highlands. Almost entirely on unmarked gravel and district roads. 3,200m of climbing. A route that crosses two provinces, drops into the Loskop Dam bushveld, climbs back out through the cold Mpumalanga night, and finishes on a highland plateau above 2,000m. From sunrise to sunset and into the night, your gravel-grinding odyssey from Cullinan to Dullstroom will be life-changing. Unspoiled scenery, open gravel roads and a tough 20-km climb to the finish on already-spent legs make this race the toughest of them all. Do you dare?

Cyclists have 24 hours to finish the race, and most riders can expect to finish at around midnight. The race is known for its gruelling terrain, with an elevation gain of 3200m for 24 hours.

The second half is where the race reveals itself. The altitude climbs. The temperature drops. The road gets harder. And the riders who went out too hard in the first 100km start paying for it in the dark somewhere between Stoffberg and Korfnek — when the Steenkampsberg is still ahead and the legs have already given more than they thought they had.

Bring the fire. Or burn out.

Entry costs:

Early Bird = R1 998 (until 31 May 2025) 

Normal Price = R2 400

Solo entries only. No pairs or teams.

Follow the race on social media for regular updates:

Facebook: @Race2Tonteldoos

Instagram: @Race2Tonteldoos